VXUS vs XLVI
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF vs State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VXUS or XLVI?
VXUS has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | VXUS | XLVI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $158.1B | $25M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 12.55% |
| Holdings | 8,747 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +14.48%Best | +5.23% |
| 1Y Return | +22.28%Best | +15.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.00% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.91% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3% | -8.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,939Best | $11,876 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2011 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.1 years).
VXUS vs XLVI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.1 years both funds cover.
VXUS vs XLVI Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLVI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% while XLVI returned +15.72%. Year to date, VXUS is up 14.48% versus a gain of 5.23% for XLVI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 11.3% for XLVI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -11.3% for VXUS and -8.1% for XLVI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXUS charges 0.05% per year while XLVI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $35 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXUS currently yields 2.51% against 12.55% for XLVI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,091 holdings in VXUS and 2 in XLVI, totalling 87.7% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026 and XLVI as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8,091 positions we hold weights for in VXUS and 2 in XLVI, against full books of 8,747 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXUS and XLVI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VXUS or XLVI?
VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05% while XLVI charges 0.35%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXUS or XLVI?
Over the past year VXUS returned +22.28% vs +15.72% for XLVI, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VXUS annualized +26.39% vs +16.92% for XLVI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXUS or XLVI?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 11.3% for XLVI. Worst drawdown: VXUS -11.3% vs XLVI -8.1%.
Should I hold both VXUS and XLVI?
VXUS and XLVI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXUS or XLVI?
VXUS yields 2.51% while XLVI yields 12.55%, so XLVI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLVI better than VXUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.